Parks for Sale? Joburg Faces Outrage Over Botanical Garden and Sports Club Plans

Joburg locals are reeling over reported plans to sell parts of the city’s treasured public spaces to private developers.

In a move that’s sparking public outcry, the City of Johannesburg has reportedly listed portions of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Marks Park, and Pirates Sports Club for possible sale or lease. These green lungs and historic spaces could make way for high-density housing and commercial builds, leaving communities angry and blindsided.

Tender Documents Raise Red Flags

The controversy kicked off when residents spotted these sites listed in a Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) tender document, alongside other landmarks like Zoo Lake, Melrose Bowling Club, Killarney Country Club, and the Field and Study Centre.

The kicker? No formal announcement from the city. The information surfaced informally through leaked documentation and has since ignited questions about transparency and public participation.

Garden Sale Was Reportedly a Mistake, But Doubts Remain

According to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley, the inclusion of the Botanical Garden in the proposal was an error. She claimed only Marks Park was meant to be listed. But residents and activists say the line between mistake and intent is too thin for comfort.

Many in Ward 88 had already seen maps showing development boundaries brushing dangerously close to the garden, raising fears about whether “mistake” really means “testing the waters.”

Clubs and Communities Left in the Dark

For community-run sports clubs and recreation centres, the news hit hard. With many operating on short-term leases, investment into facilities has already slowed due to uncertainty. The idea that these vital youth and sports hubs could be sold off entirely feels like the final blow.

Clubs argue that these aren’t just recreational spaces. They’re where children are mentored, communities connect, and lifelong friendships are formed.

“We fix the fences, mow the grass, build the teams. And they want to sell it off for flats?” said one club volunteer.

Council Chaos Delays Public Participation

The motion for community input was scheduled for 25 June but was pushed aside after Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu was voted out that same day. Since then, progress has stalled.

According to the DA’s spokesperson on economic development in Joburg, the proposal may be sent back to Section 79 committees due to inconsistencies in erf sizes, pricing, and whether each site is meant to be sold, leased, or transferred.

Green Spaces or Grey Skylines?

This goes beyond one park. In a city struggling with overdevelopment and inequality, these kinds of proposals strike at something deeper: the question of who Joburg is for.

The Botanical Garden is more than a park. It’s a sanctuary. It’s a Saturday run, a picnic under jacarandas, a community art class, and a quiet walk for pensioners. Meanwhile, the Randburg Sports Complex and similar clubs help keep kids off the streets, offering structure, discipline, and purpose.

Critics argue that bulldozing that for more concrete may solve short-term housing targets but risks long-term social cohesion.

What’s Next?

The reported proposal is expected to come before the council again in August 2025, but for now, both communities and clubs remain in limbo.

Until then, one thing is clear: Joburg’s green spaces are not just open land. They’re emotional landmarks, and residents are not letting them go without a fight.

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Source: 2OceansVibe

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